Fastener attaching device

ABSTRACT

Fastener attaching device for dispensing fastener attachment members including a body, a needle supported at the front of the body and having a bore and a slot extending into the bore, an ejector moveable into and out of the bore, an actuator link coupled to the ejector, a trigger pivotally coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the actuator link about a first pivot point to reciprocate the ejector, the actuator link being pivotally coupled to a second link which in turn is pivotally coupled to the body so that upon the drawing of the trigger towards the body the first pivot point moves towards the ejector as the actuator link pivots about the first pivot point.

United States Patent 11 1 Bone [ FASTENER ATTACHING DEVICE [75] inventor: Arnold R. Bone, Needham, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company,

Framingham, Mass.

[22] Filed: June 21, 1973 [211 App]. No.: 372,071

[52] US. Cl. 227/67 [51] Int. Cl. B65c 5/06 [58] Field of Search 227/67, 76

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,650,452 3/]972 Finke 227/67 3,652,004 3/l972 Lozio 227/67 25 24 as so 1 July 8,1975

Primary ExaminerGranville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmDonald Brown [57] ABSTRACT Fastener attaching device for dispensing fastener attachment members including a body, a needle supported at the front of the body and having a bore and a slot extending into the bore, an ejector moveable into and out of the bore, an actuator link coupled to the ejector, a trigger pivotally coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the actuator link about a first pivot point to reciprocate the ejector, the actuator link being pivotally coupled to a second link which in turn is pivotally coupled to the body so that upon the drawing of the trigger towards the body the first pivot point moves towards the ejector as the actuator link pivots about the first pivot point.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 5/ [I IiIIIIII/II/IIII IIIIII'IIA I I -o 22 24 3 4 25 M W// JUL 8 I975 SHEET 2 BF 3 PATH-T:

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FASTENER ATTACHING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is directed to a new and improved fastener attaching device particularly suited for use in consumer applications such as to recouple detached buttons to clothing, etc.

The device of the present invention is simple to use, even for a first time user, contains comparatively few parts which lends itself to economical construction but yet provides a substantial mechanical advantage over comparative prior art devices used for similar purposes.

Over the last few years a substantial commercial and industrial business has been developed using plastic fastener attachment members to couple tickets to merchandise and the like, pairs of shoes, articles, together as well as layers of material together. Examples of such fastener attachment members are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,444,597 and 3,103,666.

Devices for dispensing such fastener attachment members in primarily commercial applications are shown in the following representative US. Pat. Nos. 3,103,666, 3,659,769, 3,734,375 and 3,735,908.

During the last few years consumer applications have been developed using decorative fastener attachment members for coupling buttons to a coat, suit, etc., and for ornamental purposes. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. D2 1 34l8. A consumer type of device for dispensing the button type of fastener attachment members is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,347,834.

In this patent as well as in other similar consumer devices stemming therefrom a pushing motion is used to cause the plunger to push the fastener attachment member through the insertion needle and accordingly little if any mechanical advantage is obtained.

While these consumer oriented fastener attachment devices (push type) have proven most successful and a large market has developed, numbers of individuals did express a desire and need for a new and improved fastener attachment device which could be used conveniently by even a wider group of potential users than those currently using the aforementioned push type fas tener attaching device.

Others have also worked in this field and have attempted to provide a fastener attaching device avoiding a pusher motion. An example of this type of construction is to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,452. In this device there is disclosed a trigger mechanism which provides a caming surface to rotate an actuator link about a fixed pivot point with the ejector slidably moveable in a slot at the top of the link.

With this type of construction there are several disadvantages in that (I) the ejector has an upward motion applied to it which drives it against its supporting guide as the actuator link pivots and thus the device loses efficiency and the trigger is more difficult to operate than one would ideally like; (2) because of the amount of link motion required the device housing takes on a boxlike appearance and is thus difficult to inpart a streamlined appearance, and; (3) because of the aforementioned friction effects special emphasis must be placed on the selection and on the use of friction resistant plastics so that premature wear of the guides is avoided. Others have designed comparable units to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,451 with the slot being in the means for holding the ejector rather than in the link.

Another proposal for a fastener attachment apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,004. While this construction might be acceptable in certain cases such as in commercial applications, the position of the trigger is quite awkward for use since the user would have to twist or rotate his or her wrist to use it. In addition this construction also takes on a box-like appearance, mechanical advantage is lost because of the pivot position and an intermediate pivotal link is needed for coupling to the member supporting the ejector or stem.

In view of the above prior art it became quite apparent that there was an unsatisfied need for a device that would be easier to manipulate, more resistant to wear and would also provide a mechanical advantage not obtained with the push type fastener attachment device of the prior art.

While this order for a new device might seem easy to satisfy, to be competitive in the consumer field, construction and materials costs are an ever present factor and accordingly there was a need for a new and improved fastener attachment device construction which would meet the needs of the consumer yet be sufficiently inexpensive to produce to be salable for such use.

In view of the foregoing it is an object of this disclosure to provide a new and improved fastener attachment apparatus which is simple in design as well as inexpensive to contrust and provides a substantial me chanical advantage over the prior art devices used for similar purposes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved device which lends itself to construction using moldable parts and this may be mass'produced relatively inexpensively.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top view of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view taken along slightly off-center line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the trigger compressed;

FIG. 4 is a side view taken along slightly off-center line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are sectional views taken along lines S--5 and 66 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7-9 are side, end and opposite end views of the actuator link; and

FIGS. 10 and II are top and side views of the indexing wheel holder.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is directed to a new and improved fastener attaching device which because of its construction is well suited for use in consumer applica tions such as the reattaching of buttoms which have separated from clothing.

The fastener attaching device includes a cam actuated mechanism for ejecting fastener attachment members via a needle bore and which in the preferred embodiment includes an actuator link pivotally supported at one end in a guide in a manner to achieve reciprocating motion thereof and which engages a movable cam surface at another portion thereof to impart a reciprocating motion to an ejector supported in a manner so as to be able to force a portion of a fastener attachment member through the bore of a needle.

More particularly the actuator link or lever is pivotally coupled to the body of the device so that the actuator link in effect floats and moves upwardly in a path generated by the point at which it is coupled to the coupling link as it is rotated about said point thus shortening the amount of cam motion to affect ejector reciprocation.

Resilient biasing means is also provided in the preferred embodiment to urge one end of the actuator link which acts as a cam follower against a cam surface provided by a squeezeable trigger pivotally coupled to the body of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Reference should now be had to FIGS. lll for a detailed description of the disclosure. The fastener attaching device as shown comprises a casing or body which in its most preferred form includes right and left side sections 20-1 and 20-2 both of which among other parts used herein are preferably molded of a rigid plastic although obviously other materials such as metal (e.g., zinc) may be used but at a much greater cost and weight disadvantage. The sections are coupled together along line 20-3, i.e., using an adhesive or by ultrasonic or other techniques for welding the sections together.

At the front of the body there is provided a bore 21 open at the top in which there is supported a tubular guide member or needle 22 of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,470.834 with the walls of the bore preferably extending about the top curved portion of the needle but not over the needle slot 22-3 to maintain the needle in place.

The open portion of the bore 21 is in line with the slot 22-3 of the needle 22 so that the filament portion 24-1 of attaching member 24 (see FIG. 2) may pass therethrough as the fastener attachment member is dispensed through the bore 22-2 of the needle.

The needle comprises a tip 22-1, a central bore 22-2 in which a transverse portion 24-2 of the attachment member 24 travels with the filament 24-1 and the head 24-3 extending above the needle.

The attachment member 24 is held within the bore 22-2 as the filament 24-1 extends through the slot 22-3 by using an attachment member having a transverse portion 24-2 diameter greater than the distance between the walls of the slot 22-3. The needle also comprises a rear tip 22-4 beyond its mounting portion in which there is provided a V shaped cutter 22-5 which may be of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,734,375.

At the rear of the tip 22-4 there is provided an indexing wheel 25 having teeth 25-1 for engaging coupling members 26-] connecting a plurality of attaching members 24 to a carrier bar 26-2 therefore in order to position and locate one attachment member transverse portion 24-2 at a time in line with the needle bore 22-2 for dispensing through the needle 22.

The members 24 are separated from the coupling members by the cutter 22-5 severing the coupling members as will be clear from the description which follows. The members 24 enter through housing slot 23 as shown in FIG. 2.

The indexing wheel has a hub 25-2 which is positioned for rotation in bore 20-4. The indexing wheel is finger rotatable and causes the attachment members,

the coupling members and the carrier bar to move through shaped guide slots 20-5 as shown in FIG. 2.

While the above description of the needle attachment member and indexing wheel are described above, those interested in more details may also refer to US. Pat. No. 3,470,834 in which a fuller description is provided which is incorporated herein by reference hereto.

In order to hold the wheel 25 in place and thus hold the attachment member in location for dispensing through the needle, there is provided a spring-like material member 28 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) positioned in a slot 27 and which has a projection 28-] positionable between the teeth 25-1. The member 28 is held in place by a projection 27-1 forming a part of section 20-] which fits into a cutout 28-2.

In order to push the attachment member 24 through the needle and at the same time sever the member 24 from the coupling member 26-1, there is provided an ejector or plunger 29 having a substantially right angled tip 29-].

The ejector 29 is supported by guide bore 30 and guide rails 31 (see FIG. 4) so that it is securely guided at all times. The ejector tip 29-! is supported in a hole 33-l extending through the actuator link 33 and lies in a counter sunk or cutout portion 33-2. It should be understood that the cut out could be widened and the guide walls 31 extended toward top of the hole 33-! to better guide the ejector.

The actuator link 33 is positioned within the confines of the body 20 sections as well as within the confines of a hollow trigger 36 between walls 36-1 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and is guidably slidable therebetween.

The trigger 36 has projections 36-2 which are mounted for pivotal motion or rotation within bores 20-11 and 20-21 so that the trigger lower portion may be squeezed towards the body.

The motion of the trigger 36 is limited in one direction by a trigger stop 37-2 which engages a body stop 42 (see FIG. 2).

The link 33 includes a raised portion 33-4 which as shown in FIG. 6 holds the link 33 snugly between the walls 36-1 for slidable motion.

Actuator link portion 33-8 (see FIG. 7) slidably engages trigger interior surface 36-3 and in effect the link portion 33-8 acts as a cam follower and the surface 36-3 acts as a cam. The actuator link or lever 33 is pivotally coupled to a link 40 which has a hole 40-1 positioned about a post 33-7 and is secured about the post for pivotal motion by the top of the post slidably engaging one of the walls 36-1. The link 40 itself is pivotally coupled via a double sided post 41 projecting therefrom and held in holes 40-2 formed in sections 20-1 and 20-2 (see FIG. I).

The top portion of the link 33 is provided with guide projections 33-3 which rides between guides 34 so that rotary motion may be converted to linear or reciprocating motion.

In order to resiliently bias the trigger in the portion as shown in FIG. 2 thus withdrawing the ejector 29 from the needle bore there is provided a resilient biasing means such as a spring 38 having a front U shaped portion 38-] positioned as shown in FIG. 3 in a hole 33-5 and cutout 33-6. The other end of the spring has a hook-shaped end 38-2 positioned about a post 39 which also may include a head.

The actuating mechanism shown comprising the links 33 and 40, the spring 38, trigger cam surface 36-3 and the guide rails combine together to provide the needed amount of linear ejector motion with a shortened trigger stroke by permitting the pivot point of the link 33 to float with link 40 and thus move upwardly upon squeezing the trigger 36.

In FIG. 3 there is shown the position of the trigger, ejector, etc., after squeezing the trigger 36. As may be seen the link 40 has pivoted with both the spring 38 and link 40 having rotated clockwise based upon a comparison of the views in FIGS. 2 and 3.

While the preferred embodiment is specifically shown as including an indexing wheel and needle with a knife, it should be obvious that one attachment member at a time (that is detached from the carrier and coupling member) may be dispensed by inserting it into the needle bore by hand and then actuating the trigger. It should also be apparent that a further member may be coupled to the actuator link to affect automatic movement of the indexing wheel.

It should also be obvious that the indexing wheel and the knife of the needle may be left out entirely if the attaching members are supplied singularly.

This change would obviously provide a useful but somewhat less convenient device still embodying the invention. Furthermore it should also be understood that a separate knife or cutter may be provided apart from the needle or in fact depending upon the material used for the attaching member, a right angled portion of the device body itself may be sufficient to affect separation or rupturing the fastener attachment members from the coupling members.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings may be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language, may be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

I. In an attaching device including a casing having a trigger pivotally coupled to said casing, a needle projecting from the casing, the needle having a central bore and a slot open at the top and opening into the bore, and a plunger slidable within the bore to push a portion of a fastener attachment member or the like through the bore and the slot of the needle, the improvement characterized by a lever pivotally coupled intermediate its ends to a link which is in turn pivotally coupled to said casing, a first end of the lever coupled to the plunger to reciprocate it and the second end slid able upon a camming surface of said trigger, means for linearly guiding said first lever end and resilient biasing means coupled to said casing and said lever for rotating said lever about the link thereby urging said second end of said lever against said camming surface of said trigger to resiliently bias said trigger.

2. In an attaching device according to claim 1 characterized by guide means for linearly guiding said first end of the lever coupled to the plunger, said guide means comprising a guide projection coupled to said lever and a pair of guides supported by said body between which said guide projection slidably moves towards and away from said needle.

3. In an attaching device according to claim 2 characterized by said device including means for locating a portion of a fastener attachment member to be pushed by said plunger through the bore and slot of the needle, said means for locating supported by said casing to the rear of the needle bore and at least partially forward but out of line with said plunger when said plunger is moved its fullest extent away from said needle.

4. In an attaching device according to claim 3 characterized by said means for locating including an indexing wheel means having a plurality of teeth for feeding fastener attachment members one at a time into position to have a portion thereof pushed by said plunger through the bore and slot of said needle.

5. In an attaching device according to claim 2 in which said trigger is hollow and has interior walls for guiding said lever.

6. In an attaching device according to claim 5 in which said casing and said trigger include stop means for limiting rotation of said trigger.

7. In an attaching device according to claim 2 in which the needle has a knife at the rear thereof.

8. A fastener attachment apparatus including a body, a tubular guide member extending outwardly from the body, a bore extending lengthwise of said guide mem ber and an elongated slot in said guide member com municating with said bore, an ejector guidably supported for reciprocating motion into said bore, guide means for guidably supporting said ejector. the improvement comprising a drive lever coupled to said ejector at one end and support means coupled to said body for pivotally supporting said lever intermediate its ends so that the point at which it is pivotally coupled to said support means floats with respect to said body and the point at which the lever is supported intermediate its end moves towards said ejector as the ejector is moved further into said bore.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which a rotatable trigger is pivotally coupled to said body and includes a surface for engaging said lever to rotate it.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which resilient biasing means is provided to urge said lever against said rotatable trigger surface.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which said lever is pivotally supported by a link which is in turn pivotally coupled to said body.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including means for positioning a portion of a fastener attachment member one at a time at one end of the bore for pushing through said bore by said ejector.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which means is provided for separating fastener attachment members from coupling members connected to a carrier.

14. In a fastener attachment dispensing apparatus, an ejector guidably supported for reciprocating motion, guide means for supporting the ejector, the improvement comprising a drive lever coupled to said ejector and means for pivotally supporting said lever intermediate its ends so that the point at which it is pivotally coupled to said support means floats with respect to said body and moves towards said ejector as the ejector is moved in one direction.

15. In an apparatus according to claim 14 in which a pivotally coupled cam is provided which has a surface for rotating one end of that lever, said pivotally coupled cam is coupled to said means for pivotally supporting said lever. 

1. In an attaching device including a casing having a trigger pivotally coupled to said casing, a needle projecting from the casing, the needle having a central bore and a slot open at the top and opening into the bore, and a plunger slidable within the bore to push a portion of a fastener attachment member or the like through the bore and the slot of the needle, the improvement characterized by a lever pivotally coupled intermediate its ends to a link which is in turn pivotally coupled to said casing, a first end of the lever coupled to the plunger to reciprocate it and the second end slidable upon a camming surface of said trigger, means for linearly guiding said first lever end and resilient biasing means coupled to said casing and said lever for rotating said lever about the link thereby urging said second end of said lever against said camming surface of said trigger to resiliently bias said trigger.
 2. In an attaching device according to claim 1 characterized by guide means for linearly guiding said first end of the lever coupled to the plunger, said guide means comprising a guide projection coupled to said lever and a pair of guides supported by said body between which said guide projection slidably moves towards and away from said needle.
 3. In an attaching device according to claim 2 characterized by said device including means for locating a portion of a fastener attachment member to be pushed by said plunger through the bore and slot of the needle, said means for locating supported by said casing to the rear of the needle bore and at least partially forward but out of line with said plunger when said plunger is moved its fullest extent away from said needle.
 4. In an attaching device according to claim 3 characterized by said means for locating including an indexing wheel means having a plurality of teeth for feeding fastener attachment members one at a time into position to have a portion thereof pushed by said plunger through the bore and slot of said needle.
 5. In an attaching device according to claim 2 in which said trigger is hollow and has interior walls for guiding said lever.
 6. In an attaching device according to claim 5 in which said casing and said trigger include stop means for limiting rotation of said trigger.
 7. In an attaching device according to claim 2 in which the needle has a knife at the rear thereof.
 8. A fastener attachment apparatus including a body, a tubular guide member extending outwardly from the body, a bore extending lengthwise of said guide member and an elongated slot in said guide member communicating with said bore, an ejector guidably supported for reciprocating motion into said bore, guide means for guidably supporting said ejector, the improvement comprising a drive lever coupled to said ejector at one end and support means coupled to said body for pivotally supporting said lever intermediate its ends so that the point at which it is pivotally coupled to said support means floats with respect to said body and the point at which the lever is supported intermediate its end moves towards said ejector as the ejector is moved further into said bore.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which a rotatable trigger is pivotally coupled to said body and includes a surface for engaging said lever to rotate it.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which resilient biasing means is provided to urge said lever against said rotatable trigger surface.
 11. Apparatus aCcording to claim 10 in which said lever is pivotally supported by a link which is in turn pivotally coupled to said body.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including means for positioning a portion of a fastener attachment member one at a time at one end of the bore for pushing through said bore by said ejector.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which means is provided for separating fastener attachment members from coupling members connected to a carrier.
 14. In a fastener attachment dispensing apparatus, an ejector guidably supported for reciprocating motion, guide means for supporting the ejector, the improvement comprising a drive lever coupled to said ejector and means for pivotally supporting said lever intermediate its ends so that the point at which it is pivotally coupled to said support means floats with respect to said body and moves towards said ejector as the ejector is moved in one direction.
 15. In an apparatus according to claim 14 in which a pivotally coupled cam is provided which has a surface for rotating one end of that lever, said pivotally coupled cam is coupled to said means for pivotally supporting said lever. 